The Golden Swallow

Within the genus Tachycineta, there are a number of smaller radiations: one of which was in the Caribbean and has two members now, both very much restricted. I have talked at length about the Bahama Swallow Tachycineta cyaneoviridis: see here and here), but a lesser known sister species exists on the island of Hispaniola in the countries of the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Inhabiting low mountain ranges, this species may have a more secure population than the Bahama Swallow, but maybe not: the subspecies in Puerto Rico is now extinct.

Bahama Swallow, as I have never seen the Golden Swallow (few people have!).

A good friend of mine, Justin Proctor, is going to be in the DR doing the first systematic examination of the natural history of this handsome bird and has a blog set up that he hopes to update from the field in the coming months: The Golden Swallow . He and his girlfriend, Marisol, a wonderful Argentine girl, will be there from March - June, so keep checking it.

White-rumped Swallow, Tachycineta luecorrhoa, Chascomus, Argentina

With this site in action, the Golondrinas de las Americas program will have nest boxes in place for every Tachycineta species, quite an achievement: as 8/9 species are using them. Now if the Bahama Swallows would only take to the boxes...

Tree Swallows, T. bicolor, Montezuma NWR, Oct 2011